Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 191

Day 191 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read 2 Kings 22:1-13 and reflect on Josiah, who became king at a young age, walked in the ways of the Lord, repaired the house of God, and responded with reverence when the book of the law was found. Through his story, this devotional reminds parents, families, and spiritual mentors not to despise young people who seek God. This page includes 2 Kings 22:1-13 Scripture, family devotional reflection, heart questions, a daily verse, prayer, and life application.

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 191 of our reading journey. 

Sometimes we easily measure spiritual potential by age. We may think children are still too young, teenagers are not mature enough, or young people have not experienced enough life to truly understand faith or seek God seriously. Yet Scripture reminds us again and again that God often sees differently than we do. He can place reverence in a young heart and awaken renewal through a young life.

Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign. From a human point of view, such a young age may seem too tender, too inexperienced, and too dependent on others. Yet Scripture says that he “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD,” walking in the ways of David, not turning aside to the right hand or to the left. In the eighteenth year of his reign, he sent men to repair the house of the Lord. During that process, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law.

This passage shows us that a young king was awakened not merely by age or experience, but by the Word of God. When Josiah heard the words of the law, he was deeply moved, humbled, and brought to repentance. For families today, this is an important reminder: children and young people are not merely spectators of faith. They can truly seek God, respond to God, and be used by God.

A Minute of Grace

2 Kings 22:1-13 records an important moment early in Josiah’s reign. Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty and one years. Scripture gives this clear testimony about him: “And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.”

In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah sent Shaphan the scribe to the house of the Lord. He instructed that the money brought into the temple be given to those overseeing the work, so that the house of the Lord might be repaired. During the repair of the temple, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law and gave it to Shaphan. Shaphan read it before the king. When Josiah heard the words of the book of the law, he rent his clothes, showing deep grief, reverence, and holy fear.

The focus of this passage is not only that a young king came to the throne, but also how that young king responded to the Word of God. Josiah did not treat the book of the law as an ordinary document. He did not ignore God’s command because he was king. When he heard God’s Word and realized that the people and their fathers had not obeyed it, he understood that the wrath of the Lord was not without cause. He immediately sent men to inquire of the Lord.

From the perspective of parenting and family, Josiah’s story is especially precious. A child, teenager, or young adult does not need to wait until they are fully mature, highly experienced, or deeply educated before they can seek God seriously. God can draw their hearts while they are young. He can teach them to walk in what is right, value worship, honor His Word, and respond with repentance when they are corrected by Scripture.

Today’s theme, “Josiah Became King as a Child,” invites us to reflect: Have we underestimated the spiritual hunger of young people? In our families, do we care only about grades, talents, personality, behavior, and future plans, while overlooking their spiritual sensitivity and longing? When God’s Word enters a young heart, it can shape choices, values, direction, and even influence a family and a generation.

Whispers for the Heart

1 Josiah became king at eight years old, yet he walked in what was right before the Lord. Have you ever underestimated children or young people because of their age? How does this passage remind you that God can place reverence for Him in young hearts?

2 When the book of the law was found, Josiah heard God’s Word and rent his clothes. How can you help children and young people in your home or church not only “know Bible stories,” but truly learn to honor God’s Word and respond to it?

3 Josiah repaired the house of the Lord, and later the discovery of God’s Word led to deeper renewal. Does your family also need to “repair the temple” in some way—reordering worship, Bible reading, prayer, parent-child relationships, or family priorities? What small beginning could you make today?

As you read 2 Kings 22:1-13 today, do not see Josiah only as a young king from history. Let his life remind you that young people can seek God, and that the home can become a place where reverence for God is nurtured.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your children, the young people in your family, the next generation in your church, and your responsibility toward their spiritual lives before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

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🪕 Response Hymn: 

2 Kings 22:1-13 (KJV)

22 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.

2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

3 And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the Lord, saying,

4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:

5 And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the Lord, to repair the breaches of the house,

6 Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

7 Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord.

10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,

13 Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

🪕 Response Hymn: 

💡 Closing Thought · Young People Can Seek God Too

After reading 2 Kings 22:1-13, we see that Josiah was not limited by his age. Though he became king as a child, he did what was right in the sight of the Lord and responded with reverence when he heard the book of the law. God’s Word entered his life, shook his heart, and prepared the way for deeper spiritual renewal.

As we close this page and return to our families and daily lives, perhaps there are children, teenagers, students, younger relatives, or young believers around you. Remember this: do not despise their ability to seek God. God can call them while they are young. Through one Scripture, one prayer, one season of companionship, or one spiritual example, He can plant lasting faith in their hearts.

May today’s Scripture remind you that the next generation is not merely watching faith from the outside. They are people God is calling, shaping, and raising up. May we honor God’s Word in our homes, show more patience in our companionship, pray with deeper faith, and prepare a spiritual environment where young people can know God, respond to Him, and follow Him.

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